In this article, we will look at the 10 Most Profitable Gold Stocks to Buy Right Now.
On July 21, CNBC reported that gold prices rose around 25% this year amid a backdrop where investors are continually looking for a safe haven from the brewing geopolitical tensions and trade war uncertainties.
Stephen Jury, J.P. Morgan Private Bank’s global commodity strategist, stated that a new trend is emerging in the sector: Americans with high-net-worths are increasingly directing attention to physical gold in an attempt to diversify from the depreciating US dollar.
“If you’re buying euros or yen and you need to buy an underlying security with that currency, that starts to get a little bit more complex for most clients,” Jury stated. In contrast, investing in gold is “easier to get their head around,” he added.
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A recent survey conducted by HSBC on affluent investors showed that gold allocations more than doubled this year, rising from 5% to 11%. James Steel, HSBC’s chief precious metals analyst, reasoned that the primary reason behind gold’s rising appeal is the uncertain global circumstances, stating that “Gold is a friend of uncertainty.”
An interest in gold from an investment perspective has long been observed in the Middle East and Asia, where investors have focused on physical gold because of cultural affiliations, high inflation, and currency fluctuations.
With these positive trends for the precious metal in view, let’s look at the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now.
A closeup view of a large gold mine, illustrating the company’s gold properties.
Our Methodology
We used stock screeners to make a list of profitable gold stocks (with a TTM net income over $500 million) and selected the top 10 with the highest number of hedge fund holders as of Q1 2025. We sourced the hedge fund sentiment data from Insider Monkey’s database. The list is sorted in ascending order of hedge fund holders.
Note: All data was sourced on July 25.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
10 Most Profitable Gold Stocks to Buy Right Now
10. Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY)
TTM Net Income: $10.52 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. On July 17, BMO Capital analyst Raj Ray initiated coverage of Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY) with a Market Perform rating and a $16 price target.
The analyst told investors in a research note that Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY) is a South African senior gold producer experiencing geographical diversification and increasing copper exposure.
While the firm stated that it likes Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited’s (NYSE:HMY) operational setup, it also believes that the stock’s valuation is now broadly in line with the peer average.
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY) mines and explores gold and is involved in sales and financial management, building mines, open-pit operations, land rehabilitation, and mine closure.
The company’s operations are divided into the following segments: Tshepong Operations, Moab Khotsong, Bambanani, Joel, Doornkop, Target 1, Kusasalethu, Masimong, Unisel, Mponeng, Mine Waste Solutions, and Hidden Valley.
9. IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG)
TTM Net Income: $804.5 million
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27
IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. In a report released on July 23, Carey MacRury from Canaccord Genuity maintained a Buy rating on IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG) with a price target of C$15.75.
IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG) reported attributable production totaling 161,000 ounces from its three mines in Q1 2025. Management also expressed confidence in its production guidance estimates for the year of 735,000 to 820,000 ounces.
The company attained a record throughput in March which totaled around one million tons, representing a monthly average throughput rate of 90%. This performance continued into the quarter, with the plant averaging 34,500 tpd or 96% of nameplate over the last 30 days, as reported on May 6.
Based in Canada, IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG) is an intermediate gold developer and producer that operates gold mining properties in West Africa and North America. Its projects include Essakane, Westwood, and Cote Gold.
8. AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU)
TTM Net Income: $1.39 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28
AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. On July 20, RBC Capital analyst Josh Wolfson maintained a Buy rating on AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) and set a price target of $53.00.
AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) announced on July 16 that it entered into a definitive agreement with Augusta Gold Corp. to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Augusta Gold at a price of C$1.70 per share of common stock in cash.
Management stated that the transaction would allow AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) to further bolster its footprint in the Beatty District through the acquisition of Reward, a permitted, feasibility-stage project, the Bullfrog deposit, and all tenements surrounding each of these properties.
The acquired properties are adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti plc’s (NYSE:AU) Beatty District claims and would provide additional Mineral Resources to the company’s inventory.
Based in the UK, AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE: AU) is an independent global gold mining company with a diverse portfolio of exploration activities, projects, and operations spanning nine countries across four continents.
The company’s portfolio spans the Americas, Africa, and Australia. It also produces sulphuric acid and silver as by-products.
7. Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI)
TTM Net Income: $1.24 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30
Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. In a report released on July 14, Josh Wolfson from RBC Capital maintained a Buy rating on Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI) with a price target of $32.00.
Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI) reported group attributable equivalent gold production of 551koz in Q1 2025, compared to 464koz in Q1 2024 and 644koz in Q4 2024.
Management reported that Q1 saw a return to more normalized levels as production in the prior quarters was negatively affected by weather-related events and operational challenges, primarily at the Gruyere, St Ives, South Deep, and Cerro Corona mines.
Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI) also reported that Group production is on track to meet the FY2025 guidance the company provided in February.
Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI) is a globally diversified gold producer with nine operating mines in South Africa, Australia, Chile, Ghana, Peru, and Canada.
It engages in underground and surface gold and copper mining. The company is also involved in the exploration, extraction, smelting, and processing of silver.
6. Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM)
TTM Net Income: $619.08 million
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. On July 21, Stifel analyst Ingrid Rico raised the firm’s price target on Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) to C$144 from C$141, keeping a Buy rating on the shares.
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) reported record $470 million in revenue in fiscal Q1 2025, while net earnings came up to $254 million and operating cash flow was $361 million.
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) has a cash balance of $1.1 billion, no debt, and an undrawn $2 billion revolving credit facility as of March 31. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.165 per common share.
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) is a precious metals streaming company that operates through the Gold, Silver, Palladium, Cobalt, and Other business segments.
The company has a quality portfolio of long-life, low-cost assets, and its business model provides investors with exploration upside and commodity price leverage with a considerably lower risk profile when compared to a traditional mining company.
5. Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:FNV)
TTM Net Income: $617.4 million
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36
Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:FNV) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. On July 25, CIBC analyst Cosmos Chiu maintained a Buy rating on Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:FNV) and set a price target of C$315.00.
The rating followed the company’s July 23rd announcement of the acquisition of an existing 1.0% net smelter return royalty on AngloGold Ashanti plc’s Arthur Gold Project from Altius Minerals Corporation. The transaction was worth $250 million in cash, along with a contingent cash payment of $25 million, subject to the attainment of certain conditions.
Management reported that the Arthur Gold Project is one of the fastest-growing and largest new gold discoveries in the US.
Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:FNV) manages a gold-focused royalties and streams portfolio. The company provides investors with gold price and exploration optionality while reducing exposure to many of the risks associated with operating companies.
4. Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC)
TTM Net Income: $1.21 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39
Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. In a report released on July 23, Carey MacRury from Canaccord Genuity maintained a Buy rating on Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC) with a price target of C$28.00.
In other news, Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC) reported on July 25 that it sold an aggregate of 23,681,160 common shares of White Gold Corp., which represented all of the common shares held by KGC, at an average sales price of C$0.29 (excluding commission). This translates to an aggregate sale price of C$6,869,905.51.
Management stated that the shares represented around 12% of the outstanding White Gold common shares.
Based in Canada, Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE: KGC) is a global senior gold mining company operating in the US, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile, and Canada.
Its projects include Fort Knox, Round Mountain, Bald Mountain, Manh Choh, Paracatu, La Coipa, Lobo-Marte, Tasiast, and the Great Bear projects.
3. Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B)
TTM Net Income: $2.32 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 46
Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. On July 23, Canaccord Genuity analyst Carey MacRury maintained a Buy rating on Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B) and set a price target of C$39.00.
Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B) reported on July 10 that the construction of the $2 billion Super Pit Expansion Project at the company’s Lumwana mine is “well underway”, expediting its transformation into a Tier One copper mine.
Management stated the Lumwana mine was an underperforming and high-cost mine in 2019, which has now developed into a “growing force in African copper” and is set to “join the world’s list of large and strategically important copper mines, and a powerful driver of growth for both Zambia and Barrick.”
Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B) is a Canada-based gold and copper producer and seller. The company also engages in related activities, such as exploration and mine development.
It has ownership interests in producing gold mines in Argentina, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, Mali, Tanzania, and the United States.
2. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM)
TTM Net Income: $2.36 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 50
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. On June 23, BofA raised the firm’s price target on Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM) to $173 from $170, keeping a Buy rating on the shares.
The rating update came after the firm’s model update to include the Upper Beaver project by AEM, which is driving growth in its 2027 EPS estimate to $7.53 from $7.14.
The firm further told investors that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM) is a 2025 top precious metals pick, citing various factors for this optimistic outlook, including its track-record of meeting or exceeding targets, exploration upside potential, and “top-tier” mining jurisdictions.
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM) explores and produces gold. The company’s operations are divided into the following segments: Northern Business, Southern Business, and Exploration.
1. Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM)
TTM Net Income: $5.01 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 65
Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) is one of the most profitable gold stocks to buy right now. BMO Capital analyst Matt Murphy maintained a Buy rating on Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) on July 24, setting a price target of $69.00.
The analyst based the rating on the company’s strategic initiatives and solid financial performance, stating that Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) reported a notable free cash flow beat for the second consecutive quarter. He attributed this performance to higher-than-expected production, pricing, sales, and lower unit costs.
Murphy further reasoned that Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) announced a significant $3 billion share buyback program, which is expected to boost shareholder value. The company also has diversified operations and a conservative strategy, which makes it an attractive investment opportunity in the mining sector, according to the analyst.
Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) explores and acquires gold properties containing silver, copper, lead, zinc, or other metals. Its operations are divided into the following geographical segments: Canada, Mexico, Suriname, Argentina, Peru, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ghana, and the US.
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